2010 JCB 526-56 starting issues.

[Lazy-Farmer]

Had the machine from new and it’s always been spot on. It’s had a new battery about 6 months ago and it’s starting and charging fine on that front. Every so often it’s not starting. If you mess about with the controls and rattle things a bit it sometimes starts. Other times you need to come back in a bit and it will start perfectly. Spoke to the dealer and they said it’s a common issue and it’s the neural relay. They have me a new upgraded one and it fired it and the problem is still going on. I then changed all three direction relays for new ones and it’s still got the issue. Any suggestions on what it could be. I’m thinking a switch or sensor but thought I’d ask on here before getting my wallet out and handing it to JCB to fix it.

 

[Robert K]

Check your alternator that might be a contributing factor

 

[Suffolksucklers]

Check your earth. We have the same machine, it's gradually falling to bits electronically, but a couple of years ago we had issues starting. Sometimes it would fire fine, other times it would turn over slowly, or turn over like it's not getting fuel, other times you'd turn the key and ignition lights come on but wouldn't even attempt to turn over. Had a main dealer out who played around for four hours and said it was in the dash and would need to go in. Took ages to arrange and in the meantime a mate suggested running a jump lead from -ve terminal to the frame to see if it would start ok. It did so we put a permanent new earth cable on inside the battery compartment. When we spoke to the main dealer they claimed they it wouldn't be the problem but didnt bill us for the visit. I'm no expert but I put it down to the bad earth sending the ECU up the shoot with dodgy voltage which is why it was showing so many differing problems. It might not be your problem but we always start with the earth now whenever we have a starting issue

 

[marco]

Check the fuel stop solenoid after you've checked the earth

 

[livestock 1]

Ignition switch buggered on mine

 

[Netherfield]

I'll say it again, and so would @Mursal, if possible take an earth lead from the battery straight to the starter motor, either to the earth point if fitted or under one of the mounting bolts if not.

 

[Lazy-Farmer]

Thanks. I’m 100% sure it’s not the alternator as it was the first thing I checked. I’ll double check the earth but I’m pretty sure it’s not that. Everything comes on on the dash and the load monitor beeps etc. It acts exactly like you have it in forward and try to start it. The ignition switch seems ok too but I’ll do some testing on that.

 

[Lazy-Farmer]

I’ll have a look at the fuel side of things but like I said it’s not that it’s not starting but turning over it’s just like you don’t have the hand break on or it’s in gear when you try to start.